While enjoying a cookout Saturday, I discovered that Ken and Kathy Keener are both reading Desiring God. She is very much enjoying Piper’s thoughts; he, some less. He finds it difficult to connect with the book; she is encouraged by Piper’s validation of joy — the kind of joy that comes from trusting God and focusing on His sovereignty, even when circumstances are dark. She said that people tend to think remaining joyful means you don’t understand the seriousness of a situation. But to Kathy, joy in hard times indicates focusing on the eternal value of a situation rather than on the circumstances themselves.

On Sunday, chatting with Sandy Reist and Dot Myer, I realized that they’re also both reading Desiring God. Interestingly, Sandy’s comments were much like Ken’s — it’s hard going — and Dot’s mirrored Kathy’s comments — she’s liking it. Dot characterized the book as thought-provoking and encouraging; like a lens through which life is viewed in eternal and heaven-focused perspective.

I’m really far behind but I am enjoying it. One of my favorite quotes so far was the one from C.S. Lewis. “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

thanks, mona. don’t feel bad. i am somewhat behind too, but catching up slowly. this is slow reading for sure, even for those who have read this book in the past, but it is sure worth the effort. keep it up!